President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at revitalizing the U.S. commercial fishing industry. This move was met with approval from commercial fishing groups, while environmental organizations raised concerns about potential negative impacts on already declining fish populations due to reduced regulations.
The order signifies a significant shift in U.S. policy regarding fishing in national waters by emphasizing commercial fishing operations over strategies designed to increase fish populations. President Trump described the decision as straightforward, stating that it would enhance the U.S. commercial fishing sector by reducing regulations and allowing harvesting in previously protected areas.
Trump asserted that the United States should aim to become the leading global force in the seafood industry, noting that the country’s seafood trade deficit exceeds $20 billion. However, environmental organizations underscored the significance of adhering to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which has served as the cornerstone of U.S. fisheries management for nearly five decades, focusing on combating overfishing. Despite efforts to manage fish stocks sustainably, the number of fish species on the federal overfished list has increased from 40 in 2013 to 47 in 2023, leading conservationists to worry that this number will grow without stringent regulations.
Beth Lowell, vice president of Oceana, a conservation organization, expressed concern that the executive orders could undermine the safety nets that safeguard marine environments, economic stability, and seafood availability. She highlighted the success of the science-based approach to fisheries management in rebuilding declining stocks, supporting American fishermen, and protecting essential marine habitats and wildlife over several decades.
The fishing industry in certain regions has suffered due to environmental changes and overfishing. In the Northeast, industries once prosperous with Maine shrimp and Atlantic cod have significantly declined. Similarly, some salmon species on the West Coast have experienced depletion. However, there have been instances of success; for example, the federal government reported that Atlantic coast bluefish and a Washington coast coho salmon stock were removed from the overfished list the previous year.
Lisa Wallenda Picard, president and CEO of the National Fisheries Institute in Virginia, stated that fishermen view the executive order as a potential lifeline, calling it a “thoughtful, strategic approach.” She noted that the order outlines steps to benefit all parts of the seafood supply chain, from fishermen to consumers, advocating for reduced regulatory burdens and promoting seafood consumption as a part of a healthy diet.
On the same day as issuing the executive order, President Trump also proclaimed the allowance of commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, created in 2009 by President George W. Bush. This monument comprises about 495,189 square miles in the central Pacific Ocean. Some environmental groups criticized the decision, with some vowing to oppose efforts that could weaken protections in specific areas. David Henkin, an attorney with Earthjustice, emphasized that the monument is one of the world’s most pristine tropical marine environments and faces threats from climate change and ocean acidification.
The Trump administration contended that overregulation, alongside unfair trade practices, has disadvantaged U.S. seafood markets. The executive order tasked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with identifying heavily regulated fisheries, reducing their regulatory burdens, and developing a comprehensive seafood trade strategy. Additionally, the order called for a review of existing marine monuments to determine if any should be opened to commercial fishing, continuing a policy from Trump’s first term.
